"The nine seniors that we have here have been playing together for six years," South Hunterdon coach Mary Ellen Mandatta said. "With that experience, and I've been with them the whole time, it's a great advantage that we have."

Zelkovsky, who netted 32 goals in 2012, picked up where she left off, caging a goal in the 14th minute of the contest. The score gave South Hunterdon a lead it wouldn't relinquish.

"When you see the cage in front of you, you just want to score," Zelkovsky said. "And we're not really afraid of anyone. We're ready to win."

Ashley Eick doubled the West Amwell school's lead just under eight minutes later on an unassisted goal. Despite a two-goal lead at the half, Bernards earned two corners and seemingly gained some momentum in the waning moments of the first.

But Bernards couldn't break through, in part because of the effort from South Hunterdon goalie Samantha Soscia. The senior, who finished with seven saves, didn't allow a goal over the first 49 minutes of the contest.

"I was ready and on my toes for any shot," Soscia said. "I just kept my eye on the ball and was ready for anything to come my way. I knew that they were going to come in strong. They're tough, but I just stuck with them and played the best that I could."

South Hunterdon took a 3-0 lead in the 40th minute on Zelkovsky's second score, helped by Dey's second assist. Dey, who scored 13 goals and collected 14 assists last season, was constantly setting her teammates up for opportunities in front of the cage.

"It's kind of what we always look to do," Dey said. "We bring it out to the end and pass it in. It's a really good strategy for us because I have a lot of faith in my other forwards. That definitely helps us, that as a team we all trust each other."

Sophie Staller scored for Bernards with 10:06 remaining to cut the lead to 3-1. Bernards earned a corner less than two minutes later, but it couldn't connect on a second score.